Reading Notes W7: Olaudah Equiano, Part A

Olaudah Equiano – First African (ex-slave) to write his autobiography. Told in his own words not through the interpretation of a ghost writer. 

· Equiano was destined to receive the honor of being a chief, a man of importance in his country. “My father was one of those elders or chiefs I have spoke of, and was styled Embrenche; a term, as I remember, importing the highest distinction, and signifying in our language a mark of grander” (page 78).
· His people owned slaves, but it was different from European slavery. They were hose who were convicted of a crime or were a prisoner of war (87). Equiano makes a clear distinction of how slaves were treated on his land. “Those prisoners which were not sold or redeemed we kept as slaves in the West Indies! With us they do no more work than other members of the community, even their masters; their food, clothing and lodging were nearly the same as theirs, ( except that they were not permitted to eat with those who were free-born); and there was a scarce any other difference between them than a superior degree of importance which the head of a family possesses in our state, and that authority which, as such, he exercises over every part of his house-hold. Some of these slaves have end slaves under them as their own property, and for their own use. They were treated with dignity, as human beings.
· The author reveals that his people were civilized human beings whose culture was simple, modest, profitable (rich), and honorable. They believed in the sanctity of marriage and commemorate their commitment in traditional wedding ceremonies (78). Marriage itself was defined differently in their culture but none the less a sacred tradition.
· They beautifully crafted their own clothing, it was simple, yet eloquent. The colors were the brightest and highest of quality compared to Europe.
· They eat meat that was well-prepared and were not savages eating raw meat. They washed their hands before every meal.
· They were not a culture of men and women who were wild and full of alcohol. They would have wine, but no one was intoxicated.
· They constructed their own homes with the help of others in the community and not for financial gain. It was a community whose culture was to help one another. Money was of no value to them “In such a state money is of little use; however, we have some small pieces of coin, if I may call them such” (80.)
· They were business savvy. They bartered, and they were merchants.
· Agriculture was their chief employment and everyone children and woman alike helped. ( Community)
· The land was their wealth. It produced all kinds of vegetables in great abundance. They had vast quantities of cotton, corn, tobacco. Which were the very elements slaves were used to produce for Europeans. Nature freely yielded to them, but they were forced to produce on another man’s land. There was never any lack, no beggars, because there was no greed (81).
· They were hardworking, intelligent, honorable, and full of zeal (81).
· They were strategic in war, they possessed weapons, and again a community where everyone was a warrior including the women.
· They were circumcised and followed the Jewish customs. Which is an indication that they followed the bible that Europeans supposedly so reverenced and used as an excuse to enslave Africans and label them inferior.

Equiano humanizes Africans before introducing his horrific ordeal of being stolen and taken into slavery.